Verwoest Emma Spreckels Building na de aarbeving in San Francisco 1906

This stereograph by Tom M. Phillips gives a peek into the devastation caused by the earthquake in San Francisco. Look at the stark contrast between the ruined architecture and the clear sky, it's like a visual representation of destruction and resilience all at once. I'm drawn to the texture of the rubble in the foreground. You can almost feel the weight and density of the debris. The way the light catches on the broken edges creates a sort of abstract composition within the larger scene. It’s in this mess that you can see a mark of humanity. It reminds me of Piranesi's etchings of ancient ruins, but with a distinctly modern twist. Both artists capture the grandeur and fragility of human-made structures, inviting us to contemplate the passage of time and the impermanence of our creations. In the end, art like this isn't just about what we see, but about how it makes us feel and think.